Ottawa seeks $4.1B in retaliation for U.S. softwood foot-dragging

[Newsjock]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050209.wsofty/BNStory/National/

By STEVE MERTL
Canadian Press

Vancouver — The federal government will ask the World Trade Organization for authority to retaliate against at least $4.1-billion in U.S. imports over American non-compliance with WTO rulings on softwood lumber.

Government officials said Wednesday the Department of International Trade will apply Feb. 14 to the WTO compliance panel after the trade body ruled last year that Canadian lumber imports pose no threat of injury to American producers.

... The officials said it's too early to say what U.S. imports might be targeted for retaliatory duties. It could result in hitting a wide range of U.S. goods imported into Canada with hefty duties.

... (Forests Minister Mike de Jong of British Columbia said: ) “The Americans have succeeded where few have in creating a pretty powerful coalition between the provinces and the federal government in agreeing the time has come to send a pretty clear, unambiguous message to the U.S. administration.”

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